Tri-Tronics G2 Basic Training - Manual (Page 19)

Walking on a Loose Leash; Walking Off-Leash
Before You Start
Your dog needs to have completed at least Steps One through Seven of the
lessons on “Coming When Called.” You need a 6-foot leash and a plain
buckle collar on your dog in addition to your Remote Trainer. You’ll need a
helper available for initial work on distractions. Choose the command you
will use when you want your dog to walk calmly at your side. “Heel” is the
most popular command, but you can choose something else. You can use the
same command you used for “Coming When Called” if you prefer.
Step One.
Clip your 6-foot leash to the dog’s flat buckled collar (not to the Remote
Trainer collar strap). Since you have already trained “Coming When Called,”
you will have already selected the correct intensity level for starting a Remote
Trainer lesson with your dog. Since the dog will be close to you, you should
start with a lower level than you used when calling him from a distance and
away from distractions.
Step Two.
With the dog at your side, give the command you have chosen, and begin
walking. As soon as the dog gets out in front of you, and before the leash
tightens, repeat your command as you tap on the collar, while making a
U-turn away from the dog. Continue giving the command with tapping until
the dog commits to catching up with you. Use the 6-foot leash to help him
catch up, keeping your walking pace consistent. When your dog arrives back
at your side again stop tapping. Praise him and continue walking. Repeat.
• Have your helper hold the dog at a distance from you as you repeat the
basic training procedure.
• Have your helper gently distract the dog as you repeat the basic training
procedure.
• Gradually increase distractions. Progress until the dog rarely needs leash
guidance to come to you when he hears the command and feels the tap.
• Repeat the basic training procedure around distractions, now holding only
the very end of the long leash and leaving it slack. Use it only if needed.
• Repeat without holding the long leash, letting it drag on the ground. Use it
only if needed. Replace the long leash with the 6-foot leash, letting it drag.
• Repeat with no long leash on the dog.
• When the dog responds quickly and reliably 90% of the time, stop tapping
with the first command. Give the dog a chance to respond to the
command alone. If, after about one second, a second command is needed,
give a collar tap along with it.
• Review the discussions: “How to succeed with distractions,” “When to
change intensity,” and “How long should training take?” above.
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